Repatriation Without ID: A Unique Case from 30+ Years of Experience

In August, one of our policyholders gave birth prematurely at 22 weeks, delivering a baby weighing 500 grams. Despite all medical interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit—including respiratory support, mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, and laboratory tests—the baby’s heart did not respond to hours of treatment and passed away in the early morning.

Sharing the Pain

For the family, this was a time of unimaginable emotional and physical strain. Our team stepped in to handle all hospital and official procedures, ensuring the parents did not have to carry this burden alone. From burial documentation to official paperwork, every step was carefully managed. Beyond the administrative processes, we also prioritized psychological support, helping the family navigate their grief with compassion and care.

A Unique Challenge: Repatriation Without Identification

One of the greatest challenges arose from the fact that the baby had neither an identity card nor a passport. This presented a significant barrier to the repatriation process, as international transportation requires strict documentation. Working closely with the consulate and relevant authorities, our team developed and implemented special procedures to ensure the baby could be safely returned to the family’s home country. In over 30 years, this was the first case of its kind we had ever encountered—requiring us to build entirely new protocols in cooperation with all parties involved.

Support and Empathy in the Field

Throughout the process, our team maintained direct communication with the family, listening to their needs and explaining each step with clarity and sensitivity. In moments of profound grief, offering not only practical solutions but also empathy was essential. Helping the family feel that they were not alone was always our priority.

Lessons Learned and Institutional Growth

This case reinforced that assistance is never just about medical or logistical interventions. It is also about breaking new ground in procedure development and inter-institutional coordination. The lessons learned here have been recorded as valuable knowledge, equipping us to respond more effectively to similar situations in the future.

At Remed, we do not only manage medical procedures; we remain committed to standing beside families with empathy, professionalism, and solutions they can trust.